gmail phone

[apparition]

how could they offer it for free?

[SamTheEagle]

Because they're recording all the conversations and selling them to the NSA.

[ElDucky]

By deciding to do so.

[Pseudolus]

Because they're using the conversations as input data to improve their voice recognition and associated technology. I read that somewhere. Might even be true.

[sooner82]

Maybe the careers forum was right, we are living in a moneyless world

[the BS method]

I used it to call my dad. Worked well.

Eventually all we will need is mobile internet coverage.

4G is comparable, and exceeds in my experience, to cable.

[Ron Weasley]

Eventually all we will need is mobile internet coverage.

Then the brain implants get activated.

[Mr. Micro]

Because they're using the conversations as input data to improve their voice recognition and associated technology. I read that somewhere. Might even be true.

Very true for their 1-800-GOOG-411 service. If they don't say "calls recorded" I'm not sure they are allowed to record call though, even for voice recognition purposes. Then again, what they are allowed to do and what they do are two different things.

GOOG-411 gives a 4 second ad before connecting ("Call connected by Bandwidth.com"). Maybe gmail call is heading that way? Maybe they just make enough $$$ from email advertising, they view it as another way to get you to use their email.

[ElDucky]

Maybe it's not that expensive, and they are willing to spend a bit in their ever expanding bid to control everything.

[DownInTexas]

Maybe it's not that expensive, and they are willing to spend a bit in their ever expanding bid to control everything.

:iatp:

They've allegedly lost billions off youtube, but they seem to enjoy collecting data.

[ReAct]

Free in 2010 only, for now

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Someday there will be an epic clash
Google vs Wal-Mart vs The Banks

[apparition]

what shows up to the person being called? can they know your email address from which you are calling? (i am not using google voice - just using the dialer when i open gmail)

[Travis]

how could they offer it for free?

Because it makes gmail a better email service, creating a larger moat against competitors, it encourages you to open a window that will have more google ads in it, it makes the google brand more appealing, etc.

[hershey220]

It's free for domestic calls, but they make money if you use it to call internationally.

[Hachover]

Big deal.
Skype is also free.
Ooma is also free (after you buy the device).

As for recording my coversations, I say knock yourself out, Google. If I ever had anything to say over the phone that was NSA-worthy, I would be using spy technology to make the call. Whoever is listening in on my calls is going to be very bored 99% of the time, so I'm safe.